Before studying World War I, or The Great War (as it was called at its time). It is important to examine how the balance of power in Europe which had been created at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 eventually collapsed because of the creation of Italy and especially Germany. Nationalism really is responsible for this war. Not solely, but in a large way nationalist sentiment developed in the 19th century is a force that breaks apart nations, and creates nations. Consider that today there are more nations than ever before in human history, so every time that a nation breaks apart new nations are created.
To begin our study of events which led up to World War I we will be looking at the creation of the leading nation of that war,
Germany. Please complete the reading and questions in the following worksheet.
World War I is considered by many historians to have been the war most easily avoided. Many nations pursued policies that were so narrowly focused on the own national self-interest (nationalism and realpolitik) that they failed to comprehend what the results of their actions might become. Sure, the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand had a lot to do with it, but that was just the spark that ignited the powder keg that was the Balkans (the peninsula where Serbia is located) and eventually the rest of Europe, indeed the entire world - remember all those colonies held by these imperial powers - became in this "world war".
Your job will be to take the position of members of a particular nation-state (a.k.a. a country). Your members are all historians that have the benefit of hindsight - which is always 20/20. You= must defend your nation's actions, and condemn other nations for what they did, or even better, failed to do.
Here is your assignment:
Announcement:
You will have an in class essay exam on Friday, February 20. That will be the last block of the day.
There will be two questions, you must pick one and write an essay to answer it. Here are the possible themes for each question:
Imperialism - as a positive experience.
Nationalism - as a positive or negative experience.
You must submit your essay to http://turnitin.com/static/index.html. To do this you must first register. Please, register.
Your class identification number is 2612535
Your class password is worldhistory
This will take several minutes to open so please be patient.
For Homework:
Go to the following website http://www.activehistory.co.uk
Remember that our user name is "barons" and that our password is "social".
Go to GCSE History - World War I - Course. On that page go to "Life in the Trenches". Be sure to open the Worksheet that goes with this activity. Play the game and answer the questions. Due next class, Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
Major Assignment on World War I
Open the following document and begin work on this assignment.
The End of World War I: The Paris Peace Conference & the Start of the League of Nations
Be sure to read pp. 373-383 of your textbook.
This was one of the 20th centuries most important events. You might say it was a missed opportunity to create a lasting peace: so many errors were made in drawing up a new map of Europe, in settling colonial holdings, and especially in creating an ever-lasting peace. As you already know, a war on a much larger scale was fought only twenty years later. That war, World War II, had its roots in this event.
It is important that you understand two things about this period. The first is that there is a global shift from the power of Britain to that of the USA, or from Pax Britania to Pax Americana. Second, the Paris Peace Conference creates as many problems as it settles. As you listen to the lecture that is given use the following questions as guides to jot down information that helps anwer the questions, and assists you in understanding this important event.
Announcement: You will have a test on the Rise of Germany/Italy and World War I on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. The test will be 36 multiple choice questions, and two short answer, and one long answer.
The Great War 1914-1918
Before studying World War I, or The Great War (as it was called at its time). It is important to examine how the balance of power in Europe which had been created at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 eventually collapsed because of the creation of Italy and especially Germany.Nationalism really is responsible for this war. Not solely, but in a large way nationalist sentiment developed in the 19th century is a force that breaks apart nations, and creates nations. Consider that today there are more nations than ever before in human history, so every time that a nation breaks apart new nations are created.
To begin our study of events which led up to World War I we will be looking at the creation of the leading nation of that war,
Germany. Please complete the reading and questions in the following worksheet.
German and Italian Unification notes
German Empire
Who's Responsible for Causing the Great War?
SETTING THE STAGE NOTES:World War I is considered by many historians to have been the war most easily avoided. Many nations pursued policies that were so narrowly focused on the own national self-interest (nationalism and realpolitik) that they failed to comprehend what the results of their actions might become. Sure, the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand had a lot to do with it, but that was just the spark that ignited the powder keg that was the Balkans (the peninsula where Serbia is located) and eventually the rest of Europe, indeed the entire world - remember all those colonies held by these imperial powers - became in this "world war".
Your job will be to take the position of members of a particular nation-state (a.k.a. a country). Your members are all historians that have the benefit of hindsight - which is always 20/20. You= must defend your nation's actions, and condemn other nations for what they did, or even better, failed to do.
Here is your assignment:
Your groups are as follows:
Announcement:
You will have an in class essay exam on Friday, February 20. That will be the last block of the day.
There will be two questions, you must pick one and write an essay to answer it. Here are the possible themes for each question:
- Imperialism - as a positive experience.
- Nationalism - as a positive or negative experience.
You must submit your essay to http://turnitin.com/static/index.html. To do this you must first register. Please, register.Your class identification number is 2612535
Your class password is worldhistory
The War
Notes for the start of World War OneHomework:
For Thursday's class, please have read pp. 367-377 of Modern World History
For Homework:
Go to the following website http://www.activehistory.co.uk
Remember that our user name is "barons" and that our password is "social".
Go to GCSE History - World War I - Course. On that page go to "Life in the Trenches". Be sure to open the Worksheet that goes with this activity. Play the game and answer the questions. Due next class, Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
Major Assignment on World War I
Open the following document and begin work on this assignment.
Due date: Monday, March 2, 2009
Grading rubric for this assignment:
The End of World War I: The Paris Peace Conference & the Start of the League of Nations
Be sure to read pp. 373-383 of your textbook.This was one of the 20th centuries most important events. You might say it was a missed opportunity to create a lasting peace: so many errors were made in drawing up a new map of Europe, in settling colonial holdings, and especially in creating an ever-lasting peace. As you already know, a war on a much larger scale was fought only twenty years later. That war, World War II, had its roots in this event.
It is important that you understand two things about this period. The first is that there is a global shift from the power of Britain to that of the USA, or from Pax Britania to Pax Americana. Second, the Paris Peace Conference creates as many problems as it settles.
As you listen to the lecture that is given use the following questions as guides to jot down information that helps anwer the questions, and assists you in understanding this important event.
Maps for the end of World War I